Quick break arc horn for horizontally opening air break switches



Jan. 18, 1966 JOHNSON 3,230,324

QUICK BREAK ARC HORN FOR HORIZONTALLY OPENING AIR BREAK SWITCHES FiledDec. 5, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS Jan. 18, 1966 T. F. JOHNSON3,230,324

QUICK BREAK ARC HORN FOR HORIZONTALLY OPENING AIR BREAK SWITCHES FiledDec. 5, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet Z INVENTOR 'ZA/ ffijnlmmmalr mfM ATTORNEYUnited States Patent Office 3,230,324 Patented Jan. 18, 1966 3,230,324QUICK BREAK ARC HORN FOR HORIZONTALLY OPENING AIR BREAK SWITCHESTomlinson F. Johnson, R0. Box 10958, Atlanta, Ga. Filed Dec. 5, 1963,Ser. No. 329,610 8 Claims. (Cl. 200--48) This application is acontinuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 179,576, filed March14, 1962, which application will be abandoned upon the filling hereof.

This invention relates to high tension electric switches and has moreparticular reference to the quick break arc horn mechanism forhorizontally opening air break switches.

In present switches of the type described herein the arc horns operatein horizontal plane parallel to plane of movement of the switchelements, making the length of the arc horn a critical factor, as thelength of the horn controls the phase spacing, the distance between theswitches and the distance between supporting structures when the switchis fully opened. All these distances must be increased if the length ofthe arc horn is increased.

In accordance with the invention herein, the arc horn projectsvertically and upwardly from the horizontally arranged switch, and itsmovement upon opening of the switch is in a vertical plane to overcomethe disadvantages aforementioned.

The arrangement of the horn, and its associated horn engaging member,substantially vertical to the switch elements further permits their useon present installations, and clearance and are horn length cease to bea critical factor.

A still further advantage is that a vertically arranged arc horn throwsthe arc upward, causing the arc to extinguish faster, and eliminates thedanger of damaging adjacent equipment.

It thus becomes apparent that the object of the invention herein is theprovision of an arc horn and its engaging member vertical to theassociated switch mechanism, whereby upon movement of the switch the archorn moves in a vertical plane to obtain the advantages set forth above.

The foregoing and other objects will become apparent from thedescription herein when read in view of the showing on the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a center opening high tension air breakelectric switch provided with one embodiment of the horn engaging memberand are horn mechanism constructed in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the switch shown in FIG. 1;

Y FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the switch shownin FIG. 1, but showing in greater detail the horn engaging member andare horn construction; FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective detail viewshowing the position of the horn engaging member and are born as theswitch opens; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the switch closing.

Referring to the drawings the invention is particularly adapted for useon a horizontally opening air break switch, and for purposes ofillustration this type of switch is shown. The device may, however, beused on any type of horizontally opening switch.

More particularly, there is shown (FIGS. 1 and 2) a horizontally openingswitch indicated generally as 10, with the arc horn mechanism describedherein generally designated as 11. The center break switch includes arotatable insulator and line connector 12, mounted on one end of a basemember 13. The insulator 12 has secured thereon one end of a copper tubeor arm switch element 14 which carries at its inner or free end theusual switch jaws 15. Mounted on the other end of the base 13 is asecond rotatable insulator and line connector 16 which has securedthereon one end of a second arm switch element 17, similar to element12, except that the inner or free end carries the switch blade assembly18, which is receivable in the switch jaws 15.

The insulators 12 and 16 are connected by a rod 27, which extendsbetween a lever arm 127 projecting from the third quadrant of theinsulator and line connector 16, (FIG. 2), and a lever arm 227 extendingfrom the fourth quadrant of the insulator and line connector 12.Projecting from the fourth quadrant of the insulator and line connector16 is a lever arm 29 to which there is connected an operation arm 28. Itis thus seen that upon operation of lever 28 to rotate arm 29 in acounterclockwise direction, the switch element 17 will move clockwise,as viewed in FIG. 2, and the switch element 14 will movecounterclockwise, whereupon the switch will be opened.

In accordance with the improvement herein, there is positioned adjacentthe free ends of the switch elements 14 and 17 the arc horn mechanism11, comprising an arc horn 20 and a horn engaging member 19. Referringinitially to the horn engaging member 19, it is made of a non-rustingmetal spring material, preferably, silicon bronze, and includes a shankor lever arm 21 provided intermediate of its ends with downwardlyprojecting side ears 121, receivable between the upwardly extending sideears 117 of a bracket 119 secured to the switch element 17. The ears 117and 121 have aligned openings therein to receive a horizontal pivot pin122 arranged parallel to and above the axis of switch element 17, forpivotally mounting the horn engaging member lever 21 intermediate of itsends.

The horn engaging member 19 is provided at its lower end with acounterweight 22 which normally pivots the shank 21 counterclockwise toa substantially vertical position; the movement of the member beinglimited by the portion of shank 21 below the pivot, abutting the switchelement 17. The upper end of the horn engaging member 19 terminates in areverse bend hook member 23, the mouth 24 of the hook facing the openingdirection of the switch elements, whereby the hook may be defined as anopening direction hooking member. The hook mouth 24 is sufficiently wideto permit entry of arc horn 20 into the bight of the hook. The book 23is further provided with a camming or guiding member 25 which extendsrearwardly from the hook end, at the mouth 24, for reasons hereafter setforth.

Referring now to the arc horn 20, it is preferably made of siliconbronze, spring tempered to be flexible or resilient, although it couldbe made of any non-rusting metallic spring material.

The are horn 20 comprises a vertical leg 26 which is at right angles tothe switching elements and in the vertical plane which runs through themouth of the hook 23 when the switch is closed. The leg 26 projectsabove hook member 23 and terminates in a free upper end and its lowerend is integral with a horizontal portion 261 running parallel to andtoward the switching element 14, to which it is secured by a bracket 141for movement therewith. As seen in FIG. 1 the arc horn 20 lies in thebight of the hook when the switch is closed, that is, to the openingdirection side of the switch.

From the foregoing it will be seen by reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 that asthe switch opens the arc horn vertical leg 26 moving with arm 14 isbeing rotated in a counterclockwise direction in a plane at right anglesto the switch arm 14. Simultaneously, the hooking member 23, is beingrotated in a clockwise direction in a plane at right angles to arm 17.Thus the arc horn and hook member lie in intersecting arcs and as theopening increases,

the hook 23 will flex the arc horn 20, the flexing being in a verticalplane, with the lower end of the arc horn where it is fixed to portion261 constituting the pivot point. As the switch elements continue toswing in the hook member 23 functions as a loop with the counterweight22 serving to maintain it in engagement between the arc horn. Thevertical height of leg portion 26 is such, that as the switch approachesclose to its full open position, the arc horn is released from the hookwhereupon it whips to its vertical position and the arc is dischargedupwardly and away from the equipment.

As previously stated the horn engaging member is provided with a cammingmember of arm 25 (see FIG. 5) which projects rearwardly from the hookmouth and laterally toward the arc horn to lie in the path of the archorn as the switch moves toward closed position. Otherwise stated itwill lie in the path of travel of leg 26 in the closing direction ofmovement of the switch. Prior to the full closing of the switch, leg 26will engage cam 25 and the latter will ride along the arc horn causingthe horn engaging member 19 to pivot clockwise until the mouth 24 of thehook 23 is reached by leg 26 whereupon it will pass in front of themouth and counterweight 22 will reverse the pivoting of the hornengaging member to reposition the parts as shown in FIG. 1.

Although the arc horn is shown as having a horizontal leg 261 integralwith the vertical leg 26, this is done for convenience in obtainingproper spacing. It is obvious that leg 26 could have its lower endsecured to switch element 14, and the portion of the horn engagingmember shank 21 above the pivot could be arranged at an angle to projectbehind the arc horn.

Obviously, many mechanical variations could be made, the essentialrequirements are that there be provided an arc horn extending verticallyand upwardly from a horizontal opening switch and positioned tolie inthe opening path of movement of a vertically extending hook engagingmeans for pivoting or flexing the arc horn in a vertical plane uponopening of the switch, and including means operative upon closing theswitch for repositioning the arc horn in the opening path of movement ofthe horn engaging means.

The following is claimed:

1. In a high tension electric air break switch of the horizontallyopening type having;

(a) switch elements in the form of a switch blade assembly and a switchjaw assembly,

(b) and means for rotating at least one of the elements to open or closethe switch,

the improvement comprising:

() arc reducing means including a flexible arc horn and a horn engagingmember,

(d) means securing the lower end of the horn engaging member to one ofthe switch elements,

(e) the horn engaging member extending vertically from the switchingelement and having its upper end free,

(f) hooking means on the upper end of the horn engag-ing member,

(g) means securing the lower end of the arc horn to the other switchingelement, the upper end being free,

(h) the arc horn extending vertically from the switching element andacross the switch opening path of travel of the horn engaging memberhooking means, with (i) the hooking means engaging the arc hornintermediate of its ends,

(3) pivot means pivotally mounting the hook member between its ends onthe switching element,

(k) and counter balance means secured to the hook member below thepivot.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including;

(a) camming means secured to the hooking means engageable by the hornmember upon closing of the switch to position the horn member in theswitch opening path of travel of the horn engaging memher.

3. In a high tension horizontally opening center break electrical switchhaving;

(a) a pair of spaced rotatable insulators,

(b) one insulator carrying a switch element terminating in aswitchblade,

(c) the other insulator carrying a switch element terminating in switchjaws,

(d) means for simultaneously rotating said switch elements to open andclose the switch,

the improvement comprising:

(e) means for reducing the arc upon opening the switch including (f) ahorn engaging member having a hook at its upper end, with the mouth ofthe hook facing the opening direction of travel of the switch,

(g) horizontally arranged pivoting means mounting the horn engagingmember adjacent its lower end to one of the switch element,

(h) a flexible arc horn,

(i) means fixedly securing the lower end of the arc horn to the otherswitch element, its upper end being free,

(j) the arc horn extending across the opening path of travel of the hookmember.

4. A switch comprising a pair of switch elements, actuating means formoving in a first plane, at leastone switch element with respect to theother, an elongated, flexible arc horn having a first end mountedstationary with respect to one of said switch elements and having asecond end free and extending perpendicular to said plane, a hornengaging member mounted stationary with respect to the other switchelement so that said first end of said are horn and said horn engagingmember move relative to each other when said switch elements moverelative to each other, said horn engaging member slidably engaging saidare born above said first end and bending said are horn in an arc lyingin a second moving plane which is always perpendicular to said firstplane, said second end of said are born sliding free of said hornengaging member when said switch elements move beyond a predetermineddistance from each other, whereby the switch is effectively closedthrough the contact between said are horn and horn engaging member whensaid switch elements are moving from a closed position until said arehorn whips free from said engaging member and whereby any resultingelectric are between the moving second end of said arc horn and saidhorn engaging member is discharged substantially perpendicular to saidfirst plane.

5. A switch as set forth in claim 4 wherein said horn engaging membercomprises a hook having a mouth, a cam connected to said hook forslidably contacting said are horn between its ends and guiding the samethrough said mouth when said switch elements are relatively moved to aclosed position, whereby said hook encircles said arc horn when theswitch elements are fully closed.

6. A switch as set forth in claim 4, wherein the switch element movablein said first plane is rotatable about a first axis which isperpendicular to said first plane, said first plane being horizontal andsaid second plane being a vertical plane above said horizontal plane.

7. A switch as set forth in claim 4 wherein each switch element isrotatable about an axis extending perpendicular to said first plane andsaid actuating means rotating each switch element in an oppositedirection between a fully open and fully closed position, said firstplane being horizontal and said arc horn being mounted near the outwardend of one of said switch elements and the horn engaging member beingmounted near the outward end of the other switch element.

8. A switch comprising first and second switch elements mounted on firstand second rotatable insulator columns, respectively, and having outerends adapted to be cooperatively engaging when said switch elements arein closed positions, means for rotating said first and second switchelements in a horizontal plane between a fully closed position and afully open position, said rotating means rotating said first switchelement in a first clockwise direction and rotating said second switchelement in a second clockwise direction, an arc horn having a first endmounted near the outer end of said first switch element and having asecond free end extending vertically upward, a horn engaging mernbermounted near the outer end of said second switch element, said hornengaging member being rotatably mounted with respect to said secondswitch element and being adapted to pivot in a. vertical planesubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of said secondswitch element, said horn engaging member comprising a normally upwardlyextending hook connected to a normally downwardly extendingcounterweight, said hook having an open mouth facing in the direction ofmovement of said outer end of said second switch element, a cam mountedon said hook for slidably contacting said arc ho-rn between its ends andguiding the same into the mouth of said hook when said first and secondswitch elements are rotated to the closed position, said hook slid-ablyengaging said are horn between its ends when said first and secondswitch elements are rotated from the closed position, whereby said hookbends said are horn in an arc lying in a moving vertical plane so thatthe electrical circuit is connected through said horn engaging memberand said are horn when said first and second switch elements move out ofengagement from the closed position, said horn engaging member pivotingwhen said engaging member bends said are horn so that said hook portionrotates downward toward the horizontal and said counterweight rotatesupward toward the horizontal, said second end of said are horn slidingtree of said hook when said switch elements move beyond a predetermineddistance from each other, whereby any resulting electric are between themoving second end of said are horn and said horn engaging member isdischarged in a substantially vertical direction, and whereby saidcounterweight rotates said hook back to a substantially verticalposition when said second end of said arc horn slides free of said hook.

1. IN A HIGH TENSION ELECTRIC AIR BREAK SWITCH OF THE HORIZONTALLYOPENING TYPE HAVING; (A) SWITCH ELEMENTS IN THE FORM OF A SWITCH BLADEASSEMBLY AND A SWITCH JAW ASSEMBLY, (B) AND MEANS FOR ROTATING AT LEASTONE OF THE ELEMENTS TO OPEN OR CLOSE THE SWITCH, THE IMPROVEMENTCOMPRISING: (C) ARC REDUCING MEANS INCLUDING A FLEXIBLE ARC HORN AND AHORN ENGAGING MEMBER, (D) MEANS SECURING THE LOWER END OF THE HORNENGAGING MEMBER TO ONE OF THE SWITCH ELEMENTS, (E) THE HORN ENGAGINGMEMBER EXTENDING VERTICALLY FROM THE SWITCHING ELEMENT AND HAVING ITSUPPER END FREE, (F) HOOKING MEANS ON THE UPPER END OF THE HORN ENGAGINGMEMBER, (G) MEANS SECURING THE LOWER END OF THE ARC HORN TO THE OTHERSWITCHING ELEMENT, THE UPPER END BEING FREE, (H) THE ARC HORN EXTENDINGVERTICALLY FROM THE SWITCHING ELEMENT AND ACROSS THE SWITCH OPENING PATHOF TRAVEL OF THE HORN ENGAGING MEMBER HOOKING MEANS, WITH (I) THEHOOKING MEANS ENGAGING THE ARC HORN INTERMEDIATE OF ITS ENDS, (J) PIVOTMEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING THE HOOK MEMBER BETWEEN ITS ENDS ON THESWITCHING ELEMENT, (K) AND COUNTER BALANCE MEANS SECURED TO THE HOOKMEMBER BELOW THE PIVOT.